THE #ShopMidCoast gift card program has grown in one year to become Why Leave Town’s largest regional buy local card program.

“The program launched in September 2020 with 100 businesses participating across the MidCoast, and a year on, we’ve grown to nearly 300 MidCoast business partners,” said MidCoast Council’s Coordinator of Economic Growth, Robyn Brennan.

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“Almost 1,800 individual cards have been sold, with over $121,000 loaded on the cards.

“The direct impact of a stimulus of $121,000 is estimated at $218,000 for the MidCoast economy.”

MidCoast businesses can participate in the program, by loading and selling the cards, and by accepting them as payment in their business.

Nabiac café owner Sharon Batesman said, “We’ve expanded and diversified the Greenhouse business focus recently and accept the #shopmidcoast cards across all our businesses now.

“Participating in the program is free and easy and it provides our customers with a way to shop local and support small businesses.

“The success of the gift card program is in the diversity of business types that participate – from café and homeware stores like the Greenhouse Collective, through to mechanics and hairdressers.

“Customers have so much choice and they love it.

“After one year of operating, we know that customers typically redeem their cards in the store in which they were purchased, and they’re spending more than the card’s value,” added Robyn Brennan.

The gift cards are very adaptable, with any business able to participate.

Cards can be redeemed in any business, anywhere in the MidCoast.

Just like an EFTPOS card, shoppers can spend their gift card across different stores, until the value of the card is used up.

Go to shopmidcoast.com.au for a full list of stores where you can buy and use the card or to purchase gift cards online.

Cards purchased online can be posted direct to you or the recipient if they’re a gift, ready to #shopmidcoast.

MidCoast Council is also supplying support and advice to small businesses involved with #shopmidcoast on how to best advertise their involvement.

If you are a small business wanting to get involved please visit whyleavetown.com/register or contact Council’s Economic Development team.

Online, just search the hashtags #shopmidcoast #whyleavetown and #barringtoncoast to find supporting businesses in the area who are on board.

This initiative is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with MidCoast Council, and encourages locals to shop locally, boosting local businesses and keeping jobs here on the MidCoast.